We are proud to introduce our incredible "Mile Motivators," who you will see featured at the upcoming Miracles in Motion 5K! Each of these patients has faced unique challenges, yet their spirit and resilience shine brightly as hope for children and families like theirs.
Together, these inspiring Hopkins kiddos embody the importance of our mission and remind us all why we are taking little steps for a big cause. Get ready to race and help us lead the way to a brighter, healthier future for all children.
Meet Wyatt
At 20 weeks into her pregnancy, Lori and Brian were devastated when an ultrasound revealed complications with their unborn baby, leading them to plan a delivery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. By 35 weeks, Lori was told that their son, Wyatt, had stopped growing and would need to be delivered via a cesarean section.
The delivery was surreal; despite the stress, the calmness of the operating room staff helped ease their fears. When Wyatt was finally born, Lori initially didn't hear him cry, instilling worry until his scream filled the room— “one of the happiest sounds of my life,” she recalled.
Though the birth went well, Lori couldn’t see Wyatt for several hours. He had low oxygen levels and feeding issues, which required him to remain in the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for 21 days, while she was discharged after five.
In the following months, Wyatt was diagnosed with optic nerve hypoplasia, marking the beginning of many health challenges that required regular visits to various specialists. He faced several medical issues including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, hearing loss, blindness, chronic lung disease and more.
In the years that followed, Wyatt also experienced multiple stays in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) due to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Each hospitalization required significant care and advanced support to help him recover and regain stability.
The Pediatric Palliative Care team and the PICU became integral to Wyatt’s care by supporting the family in addressing Wyatt's complex needs holistically. Today, 10-year-old Wyatt is a joyful presence, and his parents see him as a living miracle, hopeful for what the future holds. “We don’t know what’s left in his story,” Lori shares, “but we do know that it’s going to be big.”
Check out Team Wyatt's fundraising page, and register today to join Wyatt, Lori and Brian at the starting line on race day, September 26, 2026.
